“I congratulate you. Unfortunately, however, it is Catherine Barrau that he loves, and he has done this deed to please her.”
“That is a falsehood, you slanderer!”
“You shall pay for this,” snarled Léocadia.
“We shall see,” retorted the lame girl.
“Silence!” shouted Monsieur Bérard, authoritatively. “I cannot permit such wrangling. Keep still, every one of you, and remember that to accuse a man of murder may cost you dear.”
“Well, I never saw such a man as that justice,” growled Léocadia.
Monsieur Bérard overheard these words.
“Bring that woman here,” he said to Banastre.
Protesting and crying, she was brought forward. Leading her by the arm, Banastre placed her before the justice.
“What is your name?” he asked.